Cookie Monsters

The sweet smell of chocolate-chip cookies in the oven always makes me feel like a kid — watching, waiting as my mom moved each soft, buttery batch from cookie sheet to cooling rack. They were always baked for some upcoming holiday or party, and I'd have to wait for one to break before she’d let me have it. But not today. Today and every day at Beaver Creek ski resort, the cookies are for me.

"We have a longstanding program called Cookie Time," says Beaver Creek spokeswoman Christina Schleicher. "Every day at 3 o'clock, chefs give out warm cookies to skiers and snowboarders. We wanted a way to recognize our skiers and snowboarders and their love for cookies."

To kick off the season, the resort's opening day — today — includes the third annual Beaver Creek Cookie Competition. Five previously selected finalists will each bake 1,000 cookies for skiers and riders to taste and judge. Popular vote will determine the resort's signature cookie, the recipe for which will be posted on the website.

Tasting is free and starts at 2 p.m. at Beaver Creek Village. For more information, visit www.beavercreek.com.
Wed., Nov. 22